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I am typing this paragraph several days before the 2007 Holy Name Cathedral GALA, known this season as THE MISSION IS MAGIC. By this time, I hope we can boast that THE MISSION WAS MAGIC because of the hard work, the volunteer enthusiasm, and the example of true Stewardship offered by Co-Chairs Joanne Harrigan and Mary Carlson and a committee of both veterans and newcomers to both the GALA and the parish – Edward Brummer, Mary Ann Costello, Pam Farley, Jennifer Gomez, Carol Haney, Richard Laskowski, Karyn Madorin, Mary Norton, Michelle Peltier, Anthony Rossi, Sue Sanne, Loree Schubert, Mildred Striegl, and Dorothy Sipiora. From the staff, Pat Still is the liaison to all special events including this spectacular; and Alex Lucio used her organizational skills on this and about every other parish project. Every one of those generous people gets a large THANK YOU. Watch for more news on the success of THE MISSION IS MAGIC. Saturday will be the anniversary of Mary’s final apparition to Portuguese peasant children at Fatima. Between May and October of 1917, as World War I raged, three shepherd children — Lúcia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto — reported visions of the Virgin Mary. Lúcia said Mary asked them to say the rosary daily, reiterating many times that the rosary was the key to personal and world peace. On October 13, 1917, approximately 70,000 gathered on that autumn day including newspaper reporters and photographers in response to reports of the children's prior claims that on that day a miracle would occur “so that all may believe.” It rained heavily, yet countless observers reported that clouds broke revealing the sun as an opaque disk spinning in the sky, radiating various colors of light upon the surroundings, then appearing to detach itself from the sky before plunging towards the earth in a zigzag pattern, finally returning to its normal place and leaving the people's once wet clothing now completely dry. The devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and her call to peace endure. Come to the Cathedral courtyard on Saturday at 11am for an hour-long prayer service including the recitation of the rosary. Pray for peace. During September, Holy Name Cathedral participated in the CROSSING OVER program, an academic investigation of the practical differences between parishes in the United States and parishes in Germany. We hosted Father Ludger Blasius, pastor of the largest parish in his north Germany city of Essen. Father Ludger tasted a lot of Cathedral parish life during his stay. He was particularly impressed by the number of volunteers, by the healthy sense of stewardship, by the competence of the lay leadership, and by the responsibility that so many proud parishioners take in their parish. He wondered over the volume of sacramental work performed at the Cathedral. I think we did a good thing in being a part of CROSSING OVER. I hope both the Church in Chicago and the Church in Essen are strengthened by what we learned. Congratulations to Cathedral receptionist/parishioner Godelieve Dekeersmaecker who weds parishioner Fernando Andino this weekend at Holy Name. Godie has been the friendly voice/face of Holy Name for several years, mostly working the weekday morning shift in the busy rectory. In the name of all of us, I wish Godie and Fernando all God’s blessings as they begin their new vocation. This week the Cathedral says farewell to Pastoral Associate Kristin Schwarz. Her main ministry has been to young adult Catholics, the largest demographic group at Holy Name. Kristin, her husband Dave, and her daughter Maria will be moving out of the Chicago area, closer to Dave’s family. Kristin originally came to the Cathedral in November, 1998. She told me the story of reading a letter to the editor in America, the Jesuit periodical; the letter was addressing an issue of social justice, always a key ingredient in her own Christian soul. Having graduated from Notre Dame University with a Masters in Divinity (the same theological degree I have), she worked for a time in a homeless shelter in Oregon and taught high school math and religion. In late ’98, she was considering looking to associate herself with a parish and with pastoral ministry. That letter to the editor led her to Chicago where she wanted to meet the fellow who wrote so passionately, presuming that he must be the pastor of a parish. The legendary firebrand of Catholic social justice Msgr. Jack Egan explained that he was not the pastor, but was a resident at the Cathedral parish where my predecessor, Father Bob McLaughlin, by the miracle of Providence, had just begun looking for a Pastoral Associate to take over Young Adult Ministry. Kristin was a perfect addition. She was single at the time and put in long hours building a ministry that today includes spiritual, social, educational, and service opportunities for those in their 20s and 30s. Under the spiritual rubric, there are two annual Bible Study courses, the study of Catholic social teaching, two faith sharing groups, and a teaching Mass. Social/spiritual programs include the Moms’ Group, Theology on Tap, and the Sunday Mass & Meal nights. Socially, there’s volleyball and basketball. Service projects include staffing the HELP (Help Ease Local Poverty) meals at Catholic Charities; tutoring FXW Catholic School students; the Thanksgiving Day meal; a clothing drive; and a toy drive. Young Adults have been plugged into all four commissions, the PPC, liturgical roles, religious education for children, the Art & Environment Group, and the Ministry of Care. Young adults who first met Holy Name through Kristin participate in just about every Cathedral ministry and can be seen regularly at daily Mass. She estimates welcoming almost 500 young adults to a connection with Holy Name each year (750 if you count the contacts through Theology on Tap). Most fantastically, Kristin sends a weekly e-mail bulletin about Holy Name to 1,236 addresses. I jokingly call her the “Tsar of Signs” as she expanded her ministry last year to include updating the attractive signs on our campus. Kristin would be the first to refuse sole credit for what she has accomplished. A vital team of leadership organizes her ministry. She cooperates with all the parish staff, pastoral and administrative. She networks energetically with the neighbor parishes with similar demographics. For now, Father Mike Novick, one of the full-time Associate Pastors at our parish will oversee Young Adult Ministry. We will not ignore the young adults. However, this week we wave goodbye to a friend. A daughter of the South from Montgomery, Alabama, is leaving us. Y’all are going to miss her. I’m going to miss her. Thanks, Kristin. You changed Holy Name Cathedral for the good. God bless your gracious soul! Fr. Dan Mayall |
